Houston sports fans are in a rare golden era, with the Texans, Rockets, and Astros all showing real promise. But of the three, it’s the Astros who have delivered the biggest thrills—and actual championships—in recent years. Still, even the best can be a little weird sometimes.
Take the case of Forrest Whitley. Drafted in the first round back in 2016, Whitley was once seen as a future ace. Fast-forward nine years, and the Astros just quietly shipped him off to Tampa Bay… for cash. He threw just over 10 innings at the major league level. Yet, the team’s social media posted a heartfelt “thank you” message, which felt more like satire than sincerity. It’s a reminder: even top-tier organizations can make baffling decisions.
Then there was the “Hollywood moment” for Cam Smith. After making the Opening Day roster, the Astros staged an over-the-top celebration—complete with family members appearing like it was a game show reveal. While the sentiment was sweet, the execution came off a little too dramatic, and even some teammates looked confused.
Let’s not forget Jose Altuve. He’s easily one of the greatest Astros of all time—maybe the greatest—but his base running? A comedy of errors. Despite all his accolades, Altuve has a strange habit of making little league-level mistakes on the basepaths, a quirk that has left fans shaking their heads more than once.
One of the more impactful weird moments? The winter of 2023, when the Astros had no general manager. Owner Jim Crane, usually spot-on with decisions, allowed a strange leadership vacuum filled by… himself, Jeff Bagwell, and Reggie Jackson. The result? Massive contracts for Jose Abreu and Rafael Montero—deals that already look like major misfires.
Finally, broadcasters Todd Kalas and Geoff Blum deserve praise for their chemistry and game insight—but even they have their quirks. Chief among them is their obsession with the flawed “catch probability” stat. When a single play’s probability can swing 30% overnight, it’s probably not worth five minutes of analysis mid-game.
At the end of the day, the Astros are elite—but even greatness comes with its odd moments.